Contemplating.

I lose respect for people who say they are a Republican and/or say they don't read books. The former means you don't think for yourself. The latter means you have no imagination. Together it shows you don't respect your society or yourself.

In other words, if a Republican makes it to the White House, I'm no longer an American. No joke. I'm done.

Comments {4}

(no subject)

I'd argue that stating one is a member of either party lacks personal initiative in the thought department. I'm a big advocate of examining issues and individual candidates and voting accordingly. It seems pretty useless to vote for someone merely because of their party, especially in a bipartisan system -- it doesn't exactly leave a lot of room for any candidate to gain party support while still upholding unique and honest positions.

(no subject)

I absolutely agree with you, however I find that given the restrictions we have - that is, the bipartisan system which we have become - when there are no other realistic options, given a choice between the moderate Democratic party versus the increasingly conservative Republican party, I'd choose the Democrats, every time. If only for the fact that they wouldn't cannibalize their own children if it would benefit their party. (My own political ideology is technically far more liberal than the Democratic party, but I've never seen a choice made by a Republican that I could, in good faith, support. The Democrats, however, are at least vaguely within my own belief system.)

(no subject)

I think that a person of any political persuasion can lack independent thought. When I lived in Berkeley, I became well-acquainted with the "Four Year Leftist." e.g. when they were growing up in Orange County they had conservative views. After they graduated, got a job and moved back down to Orange County they'd have conservative views. However, while they were at UC Berkeley, surrounded by leftists, they would be leftists. Some people are just chameleons wherever they are, I guess.

(no subject)

I believe these people may not be as much "chameleons" as they are trying to fit in. It's easier to follow what everyone around you says than to have an independent thought... sigh.I just wish more people were informed of the political issues that matter... I know, pipe dream, but I can be hopeful.